Map cabinet



Feb. 4, 1936.

R. B. LAWToN 029,53

MAP CABINET Filed June 15, 1934 EQ: z

Patented Feb. 4, 1936 unitsl smrss ATENT FFICE to Weber Costello Co.

corporation of Illinois Chicago Heights, Ill., a

Application June 15, 1934, Serial No. 730,717

7 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to a cabinet or casing for supporting display sheets such as maps and the like, and is particularly concerned with improved means for removably and replaceably securing the individual maps within the casing.

Heretofore in the prior art devices of the herein described type it has been the usual practice to provide individually removable and replaceable map units which are secured Within the cabinet by means of one or more latches which necessitate the map unit being disposed in a definite predetermined position before the latch or latches may be actuated to retain the unit secured in the casing or cabinet. Since the maps, which are usually of the roll type for convenience in handling, are in most cases of considerable width, a long roller is necessary. It is therefore extremely dicult and veXatious in the present types of constructions to manipulate the map unit in such a manner as to get it properly aligned and positioned to enable its being secured by the latching means. Moreover, with the present constructions, it is necessary for the person who is attempting to secure the map in the cabinet to remove at least one hand from the map unit after it is positioned in order to move the latch to position for securing the unit within the casing. This is objectionable in that when one hand is removed, the maps position will generally shift so as not to be properly aligned, thereby necessitating a realigning before the latch can be operated.

With a View to overcoming the foregoing objections and difficulties experienced with the prior art devices, this invention contemplates improved means for securing the map unit within the casing, which is so arranged as to facilitate alignment and positioning of the map unit in a proper position to be latched, and which may be actuated to latched position without the necessity of removing the hands from the map unit. t

In accordance with the general features of the invention, each map is provided with a roller which is mounted on a channel member, the map and channel forming the map unit. At one side of the channel there is provided a bracket having a socket with a flared entrance for receiving one end of the channel therein. At the other side of the casing there is provided a bevelled or conical shaped pin which is arranged to extend through a key-hole slot in the channel, and a peripheral groove in this pin engages the marginal portion of this slot when the channel with the map mounted thereon is shifted. longi.,

tudinally as a unit toward the bracket at the other end of the channel. This arrangement is very simple in construction and enables the map unit to be easily and quickly secured in the casing.

Such an arrangement has been found to be particularly advantageous in connection with schools and the like, as the maps may be displayed and stored at one location, but may be readily removed individually for display at a location remote from the cabinet, as in another schoolroom, after which the maps may be returned to the cabinet for storing and future display.

Other objects and features of the present invention will more fully appear from the following detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which illustrates a single embodiment thereof and in which Figure l is an elevational view, partially in section, of a cabinet constructed in accordance with my invention and shown as having a plurality of map units which may be removably and replaceable secured in the cabinet;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the housing, showing details of the means for securing the map units within the cabinet, taken substantially on line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front View, partly in section, of a single map unit and its fastening means, taken substantially on line Ill-II of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an .enlarged fragmentary View, partly in section, showing the manner of securing the map units at one end, taken substantially on line IV--IV of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a similar View showing the securing means at the other end of the map unit, taken substantially on line VV of Figure 3.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a frame structure which defines a cabinet, generally indicated at lil, for receiving the individual map units. This cabinet may be of any suitable construction, although I have found it preferable to construct it of sheet metal, and form the metal so as to define an open back Il, a tcp side I2, bottom I3 and lateral side portions it and l5 respectively. The side portions are preferably deflected at the for- Ward edge of the cabinet to define a peripheral inwardly extending flange lt which strengthens the side portions and gives the cabinet a more finished appearance. If desired, the back of the cabinet may be entirely enclosed rather than of open construction as shown on the drawing.

`ply by pulling down on the pull stick i8. faction unwinds the map from the roller against Since all the map units are similarly constructed and are supported within the cabinet in the same manner, it will only be necessary to describe the construction of a single unit and its support.

As clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, a display sheet or map |1 is secured at one end to a pull stick I8 and at its other end to a spring roller I9 of the type commonly utilized in connection with window shades. One end of the roller I9 is provided with a trunnion pin 20 of circular cross section, which is journaled in a supporting bracket 2| and the other end of the roller is provided with a trunnion pin 22 of angular cross section which is connected with the spring of the roller and is anchored against rotation in an opening 23 of a supporting bracket 24. The trunnion pin 22 is retained in the opening 23 by means of a pivotally mounted latch member 25 having its outer end deflected to form a hook for extending over the trunnion pin when the member is rotated in one direction, and which will release the pin when the member is pivotally movedout of latching position.

With the arrangement just described, the map and roller may be removed or replaced at will relative to the supporting brackets 2l and 24. When mounted on these brackets in the manner described, the map may be exposed to view sim This the resiliency of the spring device of the roller. The map is rerolled in the same manner that a window shade is raised, the spring acting to move the `roller in proper direction to roll up the map.

The brackets '2| fand Y24 are similarly constructed, except for the manner in which the trunnion pins of 'the roller are supported therein. 'I'he'brackets'are of right and left construction, each comprising amain plate portion 26 which may be of any desired shape. YThe main plate 'portion adjacent'its top is provided with an integral rearwardly extending arm 21 which is outwardly deected at its end to form a substanywhich extend through the flanges 2B and3D.

It will be observed that the channel`32 is p0- sitioned relative to the brackets 2| and 24 so that the lateral flanges of the channel extend rearwardly. Moreover, thefends of this channel extend outwardly past the brackets 2| and 24 for cooperation with means whereby the channel and map supported thereon may be removably and replaceably secured within the cabinet.

The left end of the channel 32, as viewed in Figure 3,`is supported in a bracket member generally indicated at 34. This bracket is integralljvr formed from a piece of sheet metal, there being a main body portion having a forwardly offset portion 35 so that when the'bracket is secured to the back side of the cabinet, as by screws 36 or other suitable means, the back of the cabinet and the bracket cooperate to form a socket 31 for receiving the associated end of the channel 32.

Since the roll maps, such as ordinarily supported within the map cabinet, are relatively long and would be very inconvenient to handle, thereby making it difficult to support the map at one end and guide the other end of the channel 32 into the socket 31, this bracket is provided with a flared opening 38 to facilitate the inserting of the channel end into the socket. The flared opening '38 is obtained by deilecting a lateral margin 39 of the offset portion 35 and providing flared or angularly disposed side members 40 and 4| which serve to guide the end of the channel into the socket 31, when the channel is moved longitudinally toward the bracket 34.

The right end of the channel 32, as viewed in Figure 3, is provided with a key-hole shaped slot 42 having a substantially circular portion 43 which is in communication with a laterally extending .contracted portion 44 which is symmetrically disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the channel. For Ycooperating with this slot there is provided a conical shaped pin 45 which is provided at its base with a contracted stem portion 46 which defines a peripherally extending shoulder 41, the stem 46 also serving as means for'supporting the .pin on a bracket generally indicated at 48. The pin is supported on the bracket in such a manner that the shoulder 41 will be spaced from an offset portion 49 of the bracket and cooperates therewith to denne a groove Vwhichextends circumferentially around the stem Yportion of the pin. The purpose of this groove will subsequently .beapparent Referring .to Figure 5, it will be observed that the offsetportion 49 of the bracket 48, this bracket beingLsecured tothe back of the cabinet as by bolt and nut means `5|), is of such size as to enable the channel .to snugly fit thereover.

Itshouldalso be noted that the portion 43 of the=keyhcle slot'142 is of suflcient size to enable the pin 45 to passttherethrough, whereas the laterally extended contracted portion 44 will not permit the passage ofthe pin therethrough but isof such sizeas to enable the stem portion 4G of the pin to passzthereinto when the pin is initially inserted through the portion 43 and the channel 32 is shifted toward the left. With the stem'46 disposed in the portion 44 of the keyhole slot, the shoulderi41`overlies the forward surface of the channel and serves to retain the associated .end of the channel seated on the offset portion 49 of the bracket 48, whereby this end of the channel is retained against forward displacement as Well as in upward and downward directions.

Insertion of the pin 45 into the key-hole slot is facilitated since the conical shape of the pin functions asa guide and also centers the associated end of the channel relative to the offset portion 149 so that as this end of the channel is movedrearwardly it will be seated on the offset portion. This offset portion, it will be noted,

l.serves as a guide when shifting the channel 32 Vspaced pins of the type utilized at theright end of the channel when supporting the channel in the cabinet. Moreover, if desired, hooks may be used instead of the pins.

It is thought that the operation of the improved means of this invention for securing the map units. within the cabinet will be apparent from the foregoing description and that it will not be necessary to describe the operation in detail.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that this invention provides improved means for removably and replaceably securing a map unit within a cabinet; and which is so constructed that the individual map units may be secured within the cabinet without the necessity of having to remove the hands from the map units for the actuation of latches or other retaining members; and wherein the securing means includes guides which facilitate the more easy positioning of the map units in proper position for actuation of the securing elements.

Now, it is of course to be understood that although I have described in detail the preferred embodiment of my invention, the invention is not to be thus limited but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, a frame structure, a bar adapted to support a display sheet, and means removably and replaceably connecting said bar and display sheet as a unit to said frame structure, said means comprising a bracket on said structure defining a laterally flared opening to receive one end of said bar,

.- and a bar securing element disposed adjacent the other end of said bar operating to restrain said bar against forward displacement relative to said structure.

2. In a device of the character described, a frame structure, a bar adapted to support a display sheet, and means removably and replaceably connecting said bar and display sheet as a unit to said frame structure, said means comprising a bar engaging element at one end of said bar to normally restrain this end of the bar against movement away from said structure but enable longitudinal sliding movement of the bar to a position of release, the other end of said bar having an opening defining a slot, and an element insertable into said slot arranged to engage said end and restrain the same against movement away from said structure when the bar is longitudinally shifted in one direction and release said end when the bar is shifted in the opposite direction.

3. In a -device of the character described, a frame structure, a bar adapted to support a display sheet, and means removably and replaceably connecting said bar and display sheet as a unit to said frame structure, said means comprising a bar engaging element at one end of said bar to normally restrain this end of the bar against movement away from said structure but enable longitudinal sliding movement of the bar to a position of release, the other end of said bar having a slot, and a pin on said structure receivable by said slot, said pin having a shoulder to engage an edge of the slot when the bar is longitudinally shifted in one direction, whereby said other end is maintained against forward displacement relative to said structure.

4. In a display sheet cabinet, a frame structure, a display sheet supporting bar, means to removably and replaceably secure said bar to said frame structure, said means having parts operative to enable longitudinal shifting of said bar and restrain said bar against removal when the bar is longitudinally shifted in one direction and release the bar for removal when the bar is shifted in the opposite direction.

5. A device of the character described comprising a frame having supports for a plurality of removable and replaceable display sheet supporting frames, stop means preventing rearward displacement of said second named frames but enabling longitudinal shifting movement thereof, and means operative to individually secure said second frames against removal when they are shifted longitudinally in one direction and enable removal of the second named frames when they are longitudinally shifted in the opposite direction.

6. In a map cabinet, a frame structure, a bar adapted to have a map secured thereto, said bar having a key-hole shaped slot at one end, and means to removably and replaceably connect said bar to said frame structure, said means comprising a socket member adapted to receive the other end of said bar, and a tapered pin adapted to be inserted into the large portion of the key-hole slot, a circumferentially extending groove on said pin to enable longitudinal shifting of the bar to bring the smaller portion of the slot into said groove, whereby the bar is retained against movement away from said structure.

'7. In a device of the character described, a frame structure, a bar adapted to support a display sheet, and means removably and replaceably connecting said bar and display sheet as a unit to said frame structure, said means comprising a bracket secured to and cooperating with said structure to form a socket to receive one end of said bar and retain it against forward displacement, flanges at the entrance to said socket disposed at an angle for guiding the end of the bar into the socket, and a bar securing element disposed adjacent the other end of said bar operating to restrain the bar against forward displacement relative to said structure.

ROBERT B. LAWTON. 

